The picture to the left is a picture taken of a commercial whiskey still known as Blue Blazes Whiskey still. You can read about that still here. The still that is famous for the death of two Federal Agents is now revered as part of the cultural past. Let me be fair, as I grew up in North Carolina and am an avid NASCAR fan. NASCAR has its roots in moonshiners. One of NASCAR’s founding figures, Junior Johnson, served federal time for being caught “firing up” a still that his family owned. Allow me to say that I do not believe those that were moonshiners were ‘bad’ people. I do believe they were misguided in their idea of hard work. I know that the land in Wilkes County was not conducive for agricultural trade, but many other people that lived in Wilkes County made a living without being moonshiners. While it is a cultural ingredient of the county, it must be admitted that liquor, moonshine or not, certainly has ruined many lives.
My daily perusal of our local paper revealed an article concerning liquor that caught my attention. If you are like me, I only glance at the headlines and then read the articles that catch my attention. In the article Burbon Boom I found out that the liquor industry is certainly selling it by the barrels. Let me remind our readers that this article only deals with “straight whiskey” and does not report on vodka and rum, or Scotch whiskey. The article enlightens its readers as to the ‘boom’ of the whiskey industry and gives verifiable statistics. Allow me to give you some simple “cuntry rifmatic” concerning this industry and the US Population.
In the article it reports the sale of ’straight whiskey’ as 14.7 million 9 liter cases. This does not account for the sales of vodka and rum, which the article reported were more than straight whiskey. Neither does it account for Scotch whiskey, which the article reported was less than straight whiskey. Let’s be fair as we examine the numbers. We know the sales of straight whiskey was 132.3 million liter’s of straight whiskey was sold in the United States. While the article reported that vodka and rum were ahead of ’straight whiskey’ sales we will allow that at least 132.3 million liters of vodka and rum were sold. Also, since the article reported that Scotch whiskey was less in sales, we will be fair and report one-half, or 66.2 million liters were sold. That means that 330.7 million liters of ’straight whiskey, rum, vodka, Scotch whiskey were consumed in the United States last year.
According to the latest figures I could find, in 2006 we had 300 million residents in the United States. In these statistics we find that 24% of the population is under 18 years of age. Thus, we have 225 million people residing in the United States over the age of 18. As you know the legal age to consume this beverage is 21 years of age in most states. What does the numbers tell us concerning the sales of whiskey in the United States? One shot of whiskey, rum, or vodka is equivalent to one ounce. There are 33 ounces of to a liter. Let’s say that after two shots of straight whiskey, rum, vodka, or Scotch whiskey you would be very close to the legal limit of being considered drunk. Now, let’s do the math. 330 million liters comes out to 1.5 liter per person over 18 in the United States. According to a Barna survey in 2007, 36 million people admitted to being intoxicated at least once in the past month. Here is where my “cuntry rifmatic” breaks down. According to Barna, 36 million people, or 16% of the population in the United States, admits to consuming enough alcohol to get intoxicated within the past month. According to the Beverage Information Group, the Whiskey industry has sold, at least, 330 million liters of either, “straight whiskey, vodka and rum, or Scotch whiskey in the past year. This means that 36 million people purchased a case of whiskey in the past year.
What does this say about alcohol and America. First, this survey does not cover beer or wine, something some consider less intoxicating than straight whiskey. Second, the increase in sales is something that we will continue to see as the economy gets worse. Why? I believe people who drink will not be able to afford to go out to drink and will sit at home to drink.
How will the church respond? Will we continue to sit around and lament the virtues of abstaining, something we must do, or will we add to the lamenting practical ways to engage the culture and reach out to that person that buys a case a year? I can tell you from personal experience that one who looks inside a bottle for fulfillment is one that just wants someone to love them as they are. Jesus is that someone and He loves you just as you are. You can respond to His love as He draws you to Himself. Or you can reject His revelation of Himself to you and stay in that bottle. Remember, when you come to Jesus, He loves you too much to leave you as you are. I can tell you that the bottle is a lonely place.
America seems to be more and more lonely as she drifts down the Whiskey River all the time singing; Whiskey river don’t run dry you’re all I’ve got take care of me in the whiskey barrel.
Tim R,
Incredible post. What do you think are some the steps we need to take. Should we embrace more AA type groups etc? or?
Great work on this one!
Comment by Tim G — July 4, 2008 @ 4;05 pm
Brother Tim G,
There are recovery groups that we could involve ourselves with. However, with alcoholism that is a physical dependency and there must be medical assistance available.
Also, we must be willing to involve ourselves in these groups.
Blessings,
Tim
Comment by Tim Rogers — July 4, 2008 @ 4;42 pm
How is your church helping those addicts who are dependent on alcohol?
Comment by Big Daddy Weave — July 4, 2008 @ 7;29 pm
Brother BDW,
Currently I have connections with local counselors and work through them. My biggest frustration is understanding how we can be so hars on smokers and allow alcohol a free pass.
Blessings,
Tim
Comment by Tim Rogers — July 4, 2008 @ 9;26 pm
Tim: The Bible speaks of alcoholism, drunkenness, but does not speak against moderate drinking. We cannot go beyond what the Bible does. No one has condoned drunkenness, no matter how you try and spin it. We cannot, should not, could not, would not, go beyond what scripture teaches. That would also include smoking which is not a sin either.
I wish that we would realize that God works from the inside out, giving different people, different convictions. There are puritans who enjoyed a good glass of ale or wine. It’s not the alcohol, it’s the sin in the world that causes the over indulgence. I don’t know why this continues to be an issue. The Bible does not speak against it, therefore we must preach the truth of the scripture.
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 4, 2008 @ 10;44 pm
My church hosts a program called Celebrate Recovery. I’m not sure how many Southern Baptist congregations are involved in this program. But it is a big ministry pushed by Rick Warren and Saddleback.
You write: “My biggest frustration is understanding how we can be so hars on smokers and allow alcohol a free pass.”
Growing up among Southern Baptists, I’d have to say the opposite was true. If a person drank, they kept quiet. If they smoked, they took a smoke-break between Sunday School and the 11am worship service. Listening to folks like Volfan, I get that same impression. He recently wrote this lengthy diatribe against alcohol but then defended those who enjoy a jaw of RedMan from time to time. I pointed to the countless SBC resolutions against smoking and alcohol to no avail. Actually, if you study those resolutions, you’ll see that the language against smoking has been tougher than the language against alcohol use or abuse. Despite those resolutions, I just haven’t seen the same condemnation of tobacco that I have of alcohol. I suspect most Southern Baptist churches on any given Sunday have at least a couple members smoking a menthol between SS and 11am.
I don’t find the consumption of alcohol to be a “sin.” I enjoy a Rolling Rock or Shiner Bock on occasion. I might have a glass of champagne when at a wedding. And I’ve sipped wine at a couple vineyards and art shows. Nonetheless, just because the I don’t interpret the Bible to condemn the consumption of alcohol doesn’t mean like-minded Christians and pastors shouldn’t expose the dangers of alcohol especially to youth and college students.
My disagreement with you and others on this subject is that you use the Bible to condemn alcohol use as “sin.” If you dropped the language of “sin” I’d have respect for your position. I think there are biblical principles that we can draw on to create a Christian ethic that steers clear of alcohol use. But I don’t think you can use the Bible to say that partaking of champagne during a toast at a wedding reception is a “sin.”
Smoking seems reckless though. Drinking a glass of wine at the Olive Garden ain’t gonna kill me. In fact, it might have positive effects on my health. Nicotine is addictive. Smoking causes so many adverse health problems. And I’ve never met someone who smokes one cig a week or one cig a month. Frankly, I’ve never met a person who smoked just one cig a day. However, I have met many people who consume an adult beverage very infrequently.
Comment by Big Daddy Weave — July 5, 2008 @ 1;42 am
Is it not ironic that Tim R is discussing the need for helping alcoholics and instead of a dialogue we get distracted. Debbie and Big Daddy, I am not trying to be mean or synical here, but just how many families have you ministered to torn by the bottle? We can argue all day long about this but families are being ripped to shreds by this “drink” and many in the church do little to help. Now we find we are encouraging it. Doctors tell me that alcohol destroys brains cells. It also does alot more. I buried a man that did not get drunk, he fit the definition that some would argue for in this topic. Yet, alcohol wiped out his brain – totally.
And Debbie, as for smoking? What do you do with the verse in the Bible that says the body is the temple of the living God? Yes, smoking will not send one to hell, but why go to heaven smelling like you went to hell? And sense smoking is known now to give cancer to those around the person doing the smoking, how does one fit this into ones theology?
Comment by Tim G — July 5, 2008 @ 12;16 pm
Big Daddy,
Since when did the Bible define things as adult or??? That might be the saddest thing I have read that you have written. I do believe you have been cheated by your professors – get your money back!
Comment by Tim G — July 5, 2008 @ 12;18 pm
Brother BDW,
As for your argument of moderation, you know where we disagree. I would encourage you to get Professor Robert Teachout’s dissertation from Dallas Theological Seminary for a full exposition concerning what Proverbs means concerning the ‘adult’ beverage you reference.
It seems that you and even my sister Debbie Kaufman do not grasp the issue of your argument here. This article does not address beer, wine, or champagne, which has lesser alcohol content. This article addresses what the Bible would refer to as “strong drink”. What amazes me is the moderation crowd still defends “strong drink” which the Bible clearly says we are “not to look on”. If I am not to look on it, the logical understanding is I am not to touch it, or allow it to touch my lips.
Also, do you realize in your argument you have argued that alcohol is not an addicting drug? I would rather meet on the road a smoker that just finished smoking their third daily pack of 20 Marlboro or even Camel non-filters than one that just finished their 6 once a month long-neck Budweiser.
Blessings,
Tim
Comment by Tim Rogers — July 5, 2008 @ 1;35 pm
Tim Guthrie: To use that particular verse against smoking is to take it out of context. As for the true context? I could write a post about it which I will not do here, but it is not a verse against smoking. This is the problem. Verses being used out of context to get the pet “don’t do” of the month to be Biblical, when it isn’t. Smoking can kill you, but so can over eating, too much cholesterol, and bitterness. Yet I have yet to see a post on these. All sins are equal to God, not one worse than another. That too is scripture which I could write a post on there is so much on it.
From my reading comprehension, this post was about helping alcoholics, but it was also another attempt to swing at those such as myself, who read the Bible to speak of moderation, and to condemn drunkeness, or over indulgence of anything.
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 5, 2008 @ 9;21 pm
Tim Rogers: One doesn’t need a full exposition from anything but the Bible to see what it says. Professor Teachout and I would still disagree.
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 5, 2008 @ 9;22 pm
You cannot change what scripture says. Now if your personal conviction is not to touch a drop, then that is God telling you personally not to touch a drop. I would respect that and would not touch a drop in front of you. But what you have is a conviction. Period. You cannot mandate that for all. I believe that too to be a sin, and something the Pharisees did in Matthew to which you can read Jesus’s response. Warning: It’s not pretty.
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 5, 2008 @ 9;24 pm
No offense Tim G.
But you just came across as a Jerk. I don’t believe you to be a jerk. But what you just wrote to me indeed carried a “jerkish tone.”
As Kevin Bussey knows, I’ve spent the last year ministering and helping a childhood bestfriend of mine who somehow lost her way and became an alcoholic and coke addict who dropped out of UGA and landed up living in a shaddy hotel, about one step away from prostitution I’m rather sure. With Bussey’s help and guidance and support from others, I helped my friend get into a facility and reconnect with her family – mended that broken relationship. After one long year, my friend Mylissa celebrates her 1-year anniversary of being drug free and sober later this summer. She’s 23.
My mom’s side of the family has been through hell over the past 3-4 years due to my uncle’s alcoholism. Have I ministered to my uncle? Absolutely. So has my dad. Have I been to AA meetings with my uncle? Yep. Have I tried my hardest to “fix” a screwed up relationship between my uncle and his teenage sons? YES. And sometimes when nothing succeeds, you want to give up. And I’ve almost given up on my uncle many many times. At the moment, he’s probably one or two binges away from having heart failure. He won’t live another 2 years at the rate he’s going. But my mom, myself, my aunt (his sister) and my grandparents aren’t giving up on my Uncle Mike. We keep praying. We keep trying different things, new programs, new half-way houses, a new church etc. etc.
Here’s the thing Tim G: Just because I’m not in the ministry full-time does not mean that I don’t minister to others. Just because a church doesn’t pay my salary doesn’t mean that I too am not a minister. And just because I’m a 25-year old graduate student doesn’t mean that I haven’t lived a little and experienced a great deal, good and bad. Next time, you need not assume about where one has been and what he has done with his life. A wise law school professor once told me what happens when one ASSUMES….
PS: I asked Tim R what he or his church was doing in terms of outreach. I shared with him what my church does. I was interested in what he had to say….
“Since when did the Bible define things as adult or???”
No idea what you’re talking about. I never said the Bible defines things as adult or???
Tim R,
I don’t believe I argued that alcohol is not addictive – that is not the message I intended to convey. I was speaking more along the lines of personal health – not the dangers of a person under the influence of alcohol operating a machine versus the negligible dangers of a person with a cancer stick in his mouth operating a machine.
Comment by Big Daddy Weave — July 5, 2008 @ 9;47 pm
Debbie,
Is the use of beverage alcohol wise?
Comment by cb scott — July 5, 2008 @ 10;09 pm
I have never drank NC whiskey, but I have drank Wayne County, TN moonshine. It doth bite like an adder, and when it gets down to your stomach, it feels like something’s churning around.
It never ceases to amaze me that any Christian would try to defend drinking fermented grape juice, corn squeezings, or watermelon juice. Nevertheless, we live in a day when Christians seem to want to be filled with other spirits, rather than the Holy Spirit; and they think that man must find his joy in something other than the joy of the Lord.
David
Comment by volfan007 — July 5, 2008 @ 10;29 pm
Also, almost everyone I know, or used to know, who drinks, did so to get high, smashed, drunk. They drank liquor to feel good….to get high…to be tipsy, etc., etc., etc.
David
Comment by volfan007 — July 5, 2008 @ 11;12 pm
Brother BDW,
Can’t sleep. It seems my daughter’s iPod docking station has an alarm that someone accidentally clicked in the on position and the alarm is set for 12 midnight. Do you know the sheer lunacy of trying to figure out how to turn off an alarm that you did not know existed
As I return my attention to the post, I can only have one statement. This post is not about sipping a wine cooler, Budweiser, Miller Lite, a Chardonnay, a Vintage Rosé 1985, or a Chambers Rosewood Muscat. We are speaking about straight whiskey. Regardless of how you turn this argument, you have to admit that straight whiskey is what the Bible references as “strong drink”. Wouldn’t you agree?
As to the comparison of smoking and driving to drinking and driving, I was using your logic when you said; just because I don’t interpret the Bible to condemn the consumption of alcohol doesn’t mean like-minded Christians and pastors shouldn’t expose the dangers of alcohol especially to youth and college students. Would you not agree that my comparison would be one that you would use?
Blessings,
Tim
Comment by Tim Rogers — July 6, 2008 @ 12;26 am
CB: I believe God gave us all good things to enjoy, in moderation. I don’t believe it is unwise to drink moderately. I do believe it is unwise to abuse it.
I do respect a policy that says you cannot drink while in a certain position. But, I don’t think the Bible should be used to defend it. Simply that is our policy would do it for me.
My husband is a truck driver who cannot drink 24 hours before he drives truck. The same rule applied to me when I was working at the hospital.
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 6, 2008 @ 2;39 am
BDW,
Jerk? I just simply asked when did the Bible make the distinction of Adult drinks, as you stated in your comment. I did not question ministry at all. My are we touchy.
CB,
You have the question of the argument. Either way, it is not wise to drink alcohol in any form for any reason.
Debbie,
Out of context? I do not believe the principle of that verse is out context when applied to this discussion. As for posts on bitterness? I did write one and you took a shot at it – remember?
Comment by Tim G — July 6, 2008 @ 4;05 pm
Tim G,
Maybe you forgot what you wrote?
And I quote:
“Debbie and Big Daddy, I am not trying to be mean or synical here, but just how many families have you ministered to torn by the bottle?”
The line above oozes with arrogance – that’s why you prefaced it with a “I am not trying to be mean” bla bla bla. But if you completely missed that point, I’m not sure you’ll “get” anything else than I’m saying or will say. And I’ve said enough in this thread.
Comment by Big Daddy Weave — July 6, 2008 @ 6;16 pm
Kudos Tim for a post that seeks to find solutions to a devastating and destructive vice. It has absolutely no redeeming qualities even in the medical community’s desire to paint it wonderful for the lowering of cholesterol. Outreach to those who find themselves enslaved to this beverage (so commonly touted by even our more moderate brothers and sisters as condoned in the Holy Scriptures) is where the rubber meets the road on combatting one of the greatest tools of Satan to destroy humanity with his lies and deceit. Satan would far rather have fellow Christians arguing over abuse, moderation and acceptance than ministering in Christ’s name to those who find themselves in a drunken pool of vomit each day.
Thanks for pointing out the need to be involved in these folk’s lives. So many Christians counsel one thing, do another and wonder why the drunks who run into innocent people and destroy entire families forever.
Keep typing Tim, keep typing. selahV
Comment by selahV — July 6, 2008 @ 6;23 pm
BDW,
That comment was not to “jerkish” as you put it. It was only to draw the conversation back to reality. We are hearing from many who like the idea of moderation. Yet, if one drinks and another is led into it, can one say that God would smile on that? Everyone who drinks was introduced by someone else or saw it as acceptable. As in the person that you are assisting, would you recommend drinking around that person years prior now that you know what you know?
Comment by Tim G — July 6, 2008 @ 11;15 pm
SelahV: Could you go further into your statement, “Counsel one thing and do another”? I am not quite following that type of logic.
I would also say that there are more drugs that the medical field gives that are just as harmful as over indulgence in alcohol. Anything that we overindulge in is sin.
I like the argument Martin Luther gives, and I paraphrase it, there are sexual sins that the Bible speaks of, but do we get rid of the women?
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 7, 2008 @ 1;04 pm
Tim R,
I thought this was a pretty good post. Even though I disagree with your position on moderate drinking, I thought your post was reasoned, balanced, and avoided the cheap shots that have often accompanied both sides. Whatever we believe about moderate consumption, we all know that problem drinking abounds, and we need to have ministries to help people. Thanks for a good post.
BDW,
I thought you have handled yourself pretty well here too – on somewhat hostile ground.
Tim G,
Did you eat some bad oatmeal, dude? You threw some cheap shots back up there. You must be a fan of the Atlanta Braves and be cranky about their losing ways, or something. Drinking unsweetened lemonade? Heavily invested in stocks? Drive a gas-guzzler? Something turned you mean.
Is anyone else sick of discussing alcohol?
Has anyone changed their position because of the blustery exchanges? I doubt it. The prohibitionists are still prohibitionists and the moderationists are still moderationists.
Let’s talk about the Yankees!
Comment by Dave Miller — July 7, 2008 @ 6;45 pm
Dave: Yes I’m sick of it, no I haven’t changed my mind. Good point, but Yankees? I think I’m better off discussing alcohol.
Tim: For the purpose of this discussion the passages are in context? For this discussion, the passage is in context? Tim, Tim. What is the entire context of this passage? It has nothing to do with smoking, drinking, or even gluttony. In fact, the context is more important than any of these.
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 7, 2008 @ 8;12 pm
Personally, I am looking forward to the millennium, when the Yankees will win 162,000 straight games and 1000 consecutive World Series. And we will all celebrate with unfermented wine.
Comment by Dave Miller — July 8, 2008 @ 12;01 am
Comment by Debbie Kaufman — July 8, 2008 @ 5;10 am
You guys crack me up! Yankees? Braves? I am frustrated at the RANGERS (Texas)?
Comment by Tim G — July 8, 2008 @ 6;58 pm